The Wayland Wildcats Robotics Team #6090 placed third in The FIRST World Championship in Detroit, April 25-28.

The local team finished the competition being ranked 22^nd out of 67 teams in the Tesla Division. The Wildcats were selected to be on the first seed alliance as the backup robot. The alliance consisted of two teams from Canada (#2056 and #1241) and one from New York (#2869).

The alliance went on to win the Tesla Division and placed third in World’s Semifinals.

Besides competing in matches, students were able to participate in the following breakout sessions:  

·  FIRST Robotics Competition Drive Train Motor Testing Results

·  Resumes: Learn the Inside Secrets to Grab a Recruiter’s Attention

·  The Basics of Swerve Drive

·  Where Do Robots Come From? Ideas, Designs and Production

·   Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter

·   Balancing FIRST and College

·   Game Winning Strategy

This marks the end of a successful season for the Wildcats. Thanks to all who supported the team through this exciting season.

Participants and coaches said tehy received great support donated to the GoFundMe account and those who came to the car wash/bake sale fund-raiser, Rockwell Automation, John Deere and Department of Defense for their corporate sponsorship to help with World Championship expenses.

This is only the third season for the team and their first time qualifying for the World Championship.

The team consists of 20 students, is coached by Keith Kohtz, and includes mentors: Rod Killips, Dave Merice, Joe Sobiesczyk, Pat Chandler and Tammy Kohtz. Team members include: Jordan Bancino, Eric Chandler, Grace Chandler, Jordan Fitzgerald, Jacob Fredericks, Matthew Gauthier, Renee Gauthier, Tabitha Halicki, Collin Heavner, Ethan Killips, Landon Kohtz, Christian Mattingly, Dawson Merice, Samantha Mucci, Hope Reurink, Ian Russell, Gabriel Shafer, Alex Sobiesczyk, Joseph Thayer, and Kyle Thelen.